Arts based revitalization projects like Wilkinsburg's Civic Center are often successful when they capitalize on the distinctive characteristics of a building, or a place, giving rise to the term place-based economics.

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Similar to other post-industrial communities, Wilkinsburg still retains commercial, sacred and residential structures with architectural historic merit, in particular, an inventory of 40 churches representing a globally diverse cross section of sacred spaces.  

 

By building out and occupying the Wilkinsburg Civic Center (WCC), we are taking the lead to demonstrate how coalitions of creative entrepreneurs, working to recreate attractive work and living spaces in empty structures, can repurpose ensued properties, while also taking advantage of the character of the buildings as stages for arts-infused revitalization, which become destination points for tourists, small and mid-sized businesses and other economic investors who are key to the revisitation of a block, a street, and a community like Wilkinsburg..